A rejection from VerbSap — but a nice rejection. It hurts a little to know I was close … On the other hand, I definitely feel as though they read my story with care, and I appreciate that.
Thank you again for submitting to VerbSap. “The Bandwagon” was close to the mark for us. The writing is careful and clean and the storyline is strong. However, the editors agreed that they wanted to be more engaged in William’s struggle–enlisting is a huge, dangerous step–so that his exit would feel less melodramatic than, perhaps, tragically inevitable. We’re passing on this, but we’d be happy to read more of your writing in the future.
I’ve received that advice on this story before, from a workshop and from my current writing group. It’s good advice. I know exactly what she’s talking about. I just don’t know how to make it happen! I guess need to pull this story apart again and put it back together in a way that works.
Writing is hard!
Filed under: writing
Wow, that was actually a decent rejection letter. They gave constructive criticism, rather than just saying “thanks but no thanks.”
Steven McDermott (http://www.storyglossia.com) is another editor who sends thoughtful, helpful, rejections. It can be done!
I’m really impressed at your courage, and wish I had some. That’s a great rejection (if that makes any sense), and since it seems to resonate with you on some level, you’re probably close to making it happen. Keep going. Good for you!
I respect your persistence as well. I gave up on fiction writing a while back and switched over to non-fiction. I find it rewarding, but I honestly don’t think it’s nearly as challenging.
I’d like to get back on the nonfiction track myself. I started to take a course in magazine writing and got sidetracked when work picked up.
I have five or six short stories in various stages of completion. I’ve been working on some of them for years and years. I don’t know if it’s persistence or an inability to move on!
Sorry about the rejection, but thanks for posting it. As a fiction editor, I learned something valuable.
Susan — love your blog! I always learn a lot there, too, about a whole range of subjects.
I’m not usually one to memorize quotes, but I read one the other day that certainly proved true for me:
“One forges one’s style on the terrible anvil of daily deadlines.” –Emile Zola
Learning to write quickly has, in some way, helped me break out of the doldrums. Take that for what it’s worth.
That was such a great rejection! I’m gonna have to submit something to them to see if I can get one too